Automobile antenna



NOV. l1, 1952 RX, NOEL AUTOMOBILE ANTENNA 2 SHEETS--SHEET l Filed Jn. 2l. 1949 w ,ZIA

rn-"ill z NOV. 11, 1952 P, X NOEL 2,617,933 l AUTOMOBILE ANTENNA Filed Jan. 21, 1949 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 nventor Patented Nov. 11, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT UFFICE 2,617,93-31( H AUTOMOBILE ANTENN Philip X.A Noel,` Bridgeport, Conn.,`, assigner tof-` Casco ProductsrCorporatin, Bridgeport, Conn.,v acorporationof,Connecticut` I Y u Applieation'Jnaryzl, 1949,. s'eifiamauiso's vnolaims; (ol. 25o- 33) l YThis invention relates to `"retractable and eX- tendablev telescopic radiov antennas, as: for "example those used in automobiles Aand the like which are operable from Within-the car, and

moreparticularlyto antennasof this type which have` actuating means comprising flexible' pushpull rods or elements. formed'of dielectric' 'material; `connected to the antenna sections toraise and Vlower 'the same.

Antennas4 ofthe type `mentioned have been very successful" `vvhen 'using pusha'pull `elements orV strips form'e'd'of a synthetic'fhre-forming' polymeric; amide, "forms ofV which' are -known commercially asnylon. This material hasproved to be extremely satisfactory from the electrical standpoint,v since ith enables` the capacity ofthe antenna to Vbe" made advantageously low and to remain substantiallyuniform for lalladjusted po'- siti'on's of" the antenna sections. In these prior antennasv the` "nylon driving strip, which' was connected to'the innermost antenna section, was dispo-sedso as to `extend'throughthe other antennasectionswhen the antenna is extended, and this strip was subjected to considerable axial compression' by thedriving means therefor when the antenna Was fully extended. The Vreason forv this axial compression was that the antenna sectionswhich were 'provided with'stop' means, were in' "combination" with said means', arranged tod'etermine'the "uppermost position or'limi't' of the inylon'fpush-pull strip. by halting the upper extremityof tilt-istrip;` Qtlie halting ofthe strip causedtheflatter'inf turn to halt or stall the power"means"`driving the'strip.V This placedthe strip 'in' compression, and caused it' to assume va Wavelike shape h-aving reverse bends, even though 'the'fstrip was relatively closely vconi-ined by the outer tubular antenna sections which carry the innermost, driven section.V

I had found that if the' nylon push-'pull or driving strip isA allowed to remain in suchA a `condition of axial compression, with'reverse bends throughout its length, it will after a period tend toretaini't-he bendsformed therein, and thiswill adverselyaiect '.the.v operation of the antenna, especially where the driving 'strip is 'eng-aged and driven by oppositely-disposed friction wheels.

VIn accordance with the presentY invention, this diiiiculty is obviated. In accomplishing this,.,I provide an improved and` novel stop means associated with the nylon push-pull strip itself and with the 'casing for the powermeans of.l the antenna; preferably this stop means comprises Iacollar Xedly carried by the Qfriee-portionofatlie abutment `on the antennaJ easing; the 'arrangj ment beingsuch "that'the 'swpimeans comes? play vjustprior to thev antenna sections "attaining their uppermost 'eXtendedpositonsQ 4This'kfueature is vclaimed .Jin divisionalapplication 'Serial No. 271,887 nies-,Fen 16, ,17953; By tnis @nga-nfl ization the stop means. 4a V'relativcly' Shri?" portion of Athe nylon'pushepullfstrirrisiliade toV assume practically alloffthe4 forceire'sul'tingfromA halting or stallingjof 'the ypower' means, andthe said force is 'oneof tension-ratherjthancom res-fv sion. The major portion"oftheldrivingfjstrip, disposed 'Within the router, tubularantenna ,secf tionsgis subjected toonly a relativelysmall arial,l compressive force whichV isfinsufdeientto? heavily load the stripl and Acause it vto take vaff'perrnan Antj set whereby reverse [bends f are made :permanent and interferewitli the driving `of ythejstrip.

In prior antennasofthe type v-men'tioned *the nylon driving strip whenretractedjwas'encased inya tubular metalsheath Which wasl formedof soft aluminum and Waslhand bendable invarious shapesfto t space` re,quirementsfv of,A :different typesjof fears. Thiszsheathjacts as 'ajcoverjand a-'guide for'gthe nylon `r4drivingfstrip,l "and'serves' :to protectfit from-d irt,* etc.

A further objectfof thep-resentmvention-isfto provide a telescopic, antenna of "theabovetype, which has improved means for*minimizing seepv age of Water-'into it, iandror draining off water which -might collect :in the oasingyjor antenna sections,4 or in thefjsheath, in whichithenylori drivingstrip is housed'when the" antenna' is'jref4 tracted", the saidjrneanspperating -tofminidnize the likelihood 'of dirt Vor otherl foreignmatter enteringl the; Icasing or sheath and interfering with the'operationof the antenna.

Iny accomplishingjthis I vprovide anoveljinsulating Y means bei-Weenv the lower ends the upright vantenna casing and the A stationary jan-i tenna section carriedtherein, Whichmeans-v s the antenna section against lateral and:lorifg'f'il tudinalf ovementand at the sam-estime provides for eiTecti-ve drainage of Waterout yof`f1ihefc l ipast thelower portion of`-theqantennamection and into Ythe protecting sheath Y"for the frnylon driving strip. Y j. l, A Y

In the "specific, embodimentof thefinvention illustrated herein 4thisrrneans comprises l'bushings of electrical-grade plastic, securing between themW-a @011er nx'ed to lthe lowerl end of `-tue-ari'- tenna ',section. f'vIhe bushings andcollar` have passages to lenable*'Water Within "the lcasirigto now out anaintb ftnesheath 'for the unvinglele;

ment. This organization is extremely economical to fabricate, has few parts, and may be easily and quickly assembled.

The tubular sheath for the nylon element is made long enough so that its remote end extends a substantial distance beyond the remote end of the nylon driving strip when the latter is retracted, and the remote end portion of the tubular sheath is provided with a series of apertures each of which is substantially smaller than the bore of the sheath. The openings are located beyond the end of the driving strip, and therefore any dust or dirt particles which might enter the openings would not be immediately deposited on the strip to interfere with its operation. The sheath has a downward pitch or slope, and water deposited in the sheath from the casing will flow out at its lower end, carrying any loose particles of dirt which might be present.

Where the sheath, in order to accommodate it to the space available in a particular installation,

has to be bent so that a portion of it extends upright, it may be provided with openings at the lowermost point, to provide for drainage of water deposited in the sheath from the casing.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved, mast-type automobile antenna arranged to be exposed to the weather, having actuating mechanism` which, except for a portion thereof not greatly adversely affected by water, is effectively shielded and protected from seeping rain water which might enter the antenna casing past the mast sections.

In accomplishing this object I provide, in the specific embodiment of the invention illustrated herein, a casing having a body and an upright extension on the body, the mast sections of the antenna being slidable in said extension between lowered retracted and raised extended positions. The body of the casing carries means, including a mechanical power transmission having friction wheels, engaging the nylon driving strip for actuating the same. The body also has a liquid-tight partition forming compartments therein, and the friction driving wheels and nylon strip, which are not greatly adversely aiected by water, are disposed in one of said compartments, said one compartment communicating with the upright extension of the body whereby rain water entering the extension past the mast sections may pass into said compartment. The compartment also has a drain whereby the said rain water is carried out of the compartment, the liquid tight partition in the casing preventing the water from entering the remainder of the casing body and contacting gear and motive means for the friction wheels, located in said remainder.

By this organization I have minimized the adverse effect which weather will have on the antenna, and therefore the operativeness and usefulness of the antenna will not be impaired by extended use or protracted exposure to the weather.

A further object of the present invention is to provide, for an antenna of the above type or for other mechanical devices or machines, improved bearings for shafts and the like, which may be very economically fabricated from cast and molded parts, and which requires a minimum of machining or nishing operations.

In the present antenna the improved bearings carry the shafts on which the friction driving wheels are mounted, and each bearing comprises a bearing block having a tapered bore, the said block being preferably formed of a diecasting.

Presstted in the tapered bore of the bearing block is a sleeve of deformable bearing material, preferably a synthetic fiber-forming polymeric amide such as nylon, the bore of the sleeve being substantially cylindrical or of uniform diameter throughout its length. The nylon sleeve is preferably molded, and when so formed has a tapered bore and a frustro-conical outside surface provided with an opposite taper, whereby the sleeve may be readily withdrawn from simple mold cavities. The tapers of the sleeve and of the bearing block are related to each other in such a manner that when the sleeve is presstted into the block with the large end of the bore in the sleeve foremost, the said foremost portion of the sleeve will be compressed and reduced in diameter to such an extent as to make the bore of the sleeve substantially cylindrical. As a consequence of this construction and method, I have found that it is not necessary to resort to subsequent machining and reaming operations in order to provide for a bore with a diameter suciently uniform to constitute a bearing for a shaft. Thus no machining is required in forming my improved bearing, but instead the bearing is merely fabricated from a die cast block and a molded sleeve which are presstted together.

A still further object of the invention is to provide, in an antenna as characterized above, an improved connecting means between the nylon driving strip and the antenna section which it actuates, whereby these two parts are securely held together in proper alignment and prevented from parting or separating during operation of the device.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide an antenna as above, having improved friction and stop means between the pairs of relatively movable antenna sections, whereby effective electrical contact is established at all times, whereby friction is maintained at a uniform value and whereby the likelihood of the sections binding or sticking one to the other is practically eliminated.

Other features and advantages will hereinafter appear.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view through the improved telesccping antenna of the invention, part of the casing body being shown in elevation.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section through the mast sections and upper portion or extension of the casing, showing the friction means between the mast sections and the connector between the innermost section and the nylon driving strip.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary vertical section showing the parts of the antenna in fully extended position, the stop means carried by the nylon strip being shown abutting a portion of the casing and assuming most of the force exerted on the nylon strip by the power means.

Fig. 4 is a detail in elevation, of the adjacent portions of the nylon driving strip and the innermost antenna section, and of the connector sleeve for said portions prior to assembly of these parts.

Fig. 5 is a view taken on line 5,-5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 6 6 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 7 is a view partly in section and partly in plan, taken on line 1 1 of Fig. l.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged plan view of a nylon bearing sleeve for a shaft on which a friction wheel is mounted; shown in section is a portion of the A` bearin'gblock1 for thev sleeve,V prior to the.v4 latter being press-fitted in' the block.

U'Fig.'9 is'ian elevational view of the antenna,

showing the sheath for the nylon driving strip arranged to have a low water-drainage portion `intermediate its ends; and

Fig. 10 isa detail Aof the' remote end ofi the sheath Yforthedriving strip, saidend being located 'lower than the remainder of the sheath.

Referring to Figs. 1l and 2 the improved anten- I' naofj the present invention comprises a casing Ilhaving a body portion IIv and, projecting upwardly from the portion II, an upright exten- A'sion I2.

"The body portion I I of the casingispreferably formed 'of' diecast parts and consists of an upper "part I.3,a'lower part I4',"and"an intermediate part l I5`which'is disposed'V between theupper and `lowe'r' parts I 3 'and I 4 `respectively.

`'The lower 'part' Ill'of the casing may carry an antenna"(to'be describedlater) in response to `movement of the motor shaft I6, the shaft carries a worm Il engaging worm wheels I8 carried on' shafts `I9 passing through bearing blocks 2@ formed0 integral with the intermediate casing part I5. The shafts I9 extend angularly to each `otherasshown in Fig. 7 and at their proximal fendsmount friction Wheels 2! engaging a nylon driving strip 22 which passes between the wheels, Vas picturedin Figs.v 1 and 7.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, the upper end ofthe nylon driving strip 22 is connected with the lower end of the innermost antenna or mast section 23 ofthe antenna, to actuate this section. The

mast section 23, which is preferably a solid rcd,`

is slidably carried in a tubular mast section 2d which is in turn slidably carried in an outer mast section 25 rigidly mounted in the casing extenvsion I2.

When the motive means .which powers the L shaft I 6 is energized,.rotation of the shaft I6 will lcause the friction wheels 2| to turn, thereby raising or lowering the nylon driving strip 22 andin turn raising or lowering the antenna mast comprising the inner mast section 23 and intermediate mast section 24.

,In accordance `with the present invention an improved means is provided for limiting the upward movement of the mast sections whereby operation-interfering permanent deformation of s the nylon driving strip is prevented. Heretofore, .when the mast sections of prior antennas were raised by rotation of friction wheels engaging a nylon driving strip, all of the stops carried by the mast sections became engaged and halted the movement of the sections at their extended positions. Upon this ,occurring the friction wheels would slip and continue to rotate until the motive power was shut off, and this would cause the nylon driving strip to be held under susbtantial axial compression, and would result in the strip becoming bent within the confines of the mast sections 24 and 25, with slight reverse bends. Even after the motive power was deenergized, the nylon strip would remain under considerable compression and continue to stay bent, and I have found that this ultimately resulted in the strip beinglpe'rmanently' deformed,

" adversely affecting Ztheoperation `of the" driving mechanism.

vmastl section 25.

. sections.

'6 Vv*According* to .thefpresent `invention,` vhoweyer, I provide astop collar 26 onthe lowerportionof thef nylon drivingstrip 22, kthe .said collar being adapted to engage and abut the lower end `portion 21 of a tubulary fitting- 28which issec'ured to the lower lpart I4 of the antenna casingli (through which casing the nylon strip 22- extends) just prior to` all the mast sections becoming `fully extended. v In otherfwordsp as showninFig, when thev antenna mast sections are `raised,'the 'stop collar v2 Ii engagesthe fitting? l23l just prior# to stops on the mast sectionsbecoming all operative. In Fig. 3 it will be seen that the intermediate' antenna section 24 carries on' its lowerend a stop collar 29 which may abut a cooperable bush ing 30provided in the upper portionof the outer Also, the inner mast `section 23 carries' a 'stop rcollar 3l `which may engage a coopera-ble bushing 32 carried in the upperpor- ,tionof the lintermediate mast section A24. Itv will be seen' that when the antennarnast sections approach their fully vraised` positions, the `stop collar 3| of the section 23 may engage the cooperable bushing 32 of the mast section 24;-01 the collar 29 may engage the `bushing 3Q, but Vunder no circumstances could both collars be vmade to respectively engage both bushings at'one time, since theistop collar 26 on the nylon driving strip 22 will always first engage the lower end portion Y2'I of thefitting 23. Thus the major portion ofthe force exerted on the nylon driving'strip 22 as the friction wheels 2i continue to rotate subsequent to halting of the antenna sections is a tensile stressl and is carried by that portion of the nylon driving strip disposed between the friction wheels 2I and the stop col-lar' 26;` this stress tends to straighten the said portion of the strip, and to not cause any bends to be formed. The portion of the nylon driving strip extending between the friction wheels 2| and the lower end of the inner mast section 23 is of course under a certain amount of compressive stress. However, this stress is considerably less than that heretofore encountered in driving strips of prior antenna constructions, and is due mainly to the weight and friction of the mast sections, and not to engagement of all of the cooperable stops of said Therefore, there will be much less tendency for the nylon driving strip 22 to be permanently deformed with reverse bends, as was heretofore found to occur.

Referring to Fig. 6, the collar 26 is preferably formed from a straight strip of metal bent into a .shape somewhat like an open figure 8, the collar being disposed in a transverse groove 33 provided in the lower portion of the nylon driving strip 22. The construction of the stop collar 25 and its application tothe nylon driving strip 22 may `thus be economically accomplished.

In accordance with the present invention irnproved means are provided for confining and draining off rain water which might seep into the casing I past the mast sections 23 and 24, so that such rain water can not laccumulate or ad- Y versely affect the operation of the drivingmechanism or other parts of the antenna. In accomplishing this result, the casing IIJ is provided with a pair of electrically insulating bushings 34 and 35, preferably of thermoplastic resin such as polythene, electrical grade, carried in the lower portion of the casing extension I2. The bushing 35, which is the lowermost of the'two, has a downwardly' facing 'shoulder I3S engaging an internal annular shoulder 3'Iin an upright ftubular rextension 38 projectinglupward from and forming an integral part of the uppermost casing part I3. The bushing 35 has a downwardly extending skirt 39 which projects into the casing part I3, and has a central bore 40 through the skirt, through which bore the nylon driving strip 22 passes. The upper portion of the bushing 35 is formed like a cup, having a circular flange or lip 4| engaged by a downwardly facing shoulder 42 on the bushing 34 whereby the latter issupported and positioned by the lower bushing. Within the fiange 4| the bushing 35 has a plurality of alternately arranged slots 43 and ribs 43a the latter carrying a metal washer 44 on which the lower end of the mast section 25 of the antenna rests.

As shown in Fig. 1 the mast section 25 at its lower end has an outturned flange 45 engaging the washer 44; the upper surface of the flange 45 is engaged by a conical center portion 46 of the bushing 34 whereby the mast section 25 is rigidly retained in the position shown. The bushing 34 has a circular flange 4l engaging the top edge of the extension 3B of the casing part I3, to further provide for accurately positioning the bushing.

The extension I2 of the casing i3 comprises a metal tube the lower portion of which surrounds the upright portion 38 of the casing part I3 and is secured thereto by screws 48 as shown. Nibs 49 are formed in the metal tube comprising the extension i2, to engage the upper edge of the bushing 34 and securely lock the bushing against axial movement.

Rain water which may enter or seep into the top of the casing extension I2 past the mast section 25 will fall to the bushing 34 and iiow into the bore and conical portion 46 thereof, said portion having openings 34a whereby the water will pass downwardly through the bushing and into the cup-like portion of the lower bushing 35. The water will then flow through the slots 43 and bore 40 of the lower bushing 35, and drop into a chamber or compartment 50 in the casing I0. The chamber 50 is formed by a depending partition in the upper casing part I3, and by an upwardly extending partition 52 in the intermediate casing part I5, the lower and upper edges of the partitions respectively being juxtaposed and overlapping as shown in Fig. 1. The casing part I5 has a horizontal wall 53 joined to the partition 52, and has a tubular depending portion or duct 54 supported by the wall 5-3, said duct extending close to a cup-shaped top portion 55 of the fitting 28 secured in the casing part I4. It will be seen that by this construction moisture or rain water which is deposited in the cavity 5B of the casing I0 may iiow downward through the duct 55 and be deposited in the cup-like portion 55 of the fitting 28. From here the rain water may pass through the bore of the fitting 28 into a sheath 56 which is secured to the fitting by a nut 5l and which houses or encloses the nylon driving strip 22 almost in its entirety when the strip is in its lowermost position.

From Figs. 1 and 2 it will be noted that rain water which seeps into the intermediate mast section 24 past the inner mast section 23, may pass downward through the mast sections 24 and 25 past the nylon strip 22 and be discharged from the bore 40 of the bushing 35 into the cavity 53 of the antenna casing.

The sheath 55 is preferably formed of soft aluminum tubing which may bereadily bent by hand to accommodate it to various space requirements of a particular installation, see Fig. 9.

Referring to Fig. 10 the remote end or extremity 58 of the sheath 56 is flattened to constrct 8 the opening thereof, and a slot 59 is provided in the sheath adjacent the end 58. The slot 59 and the flattened end 58 function as drain openings, and enable rain water which passes into the sheath to readily drain out.

The sheath construction shown in Fig. l0 is employed where the remote end or extremity 58 of the sheath is lower than the remainder; where an intermediate portion of the sheath is lower than the extremity 58 or than other portions of the sheath, as shown in Fig. 9, a slot 60 may be provided in said intermediate portion for drainage purposes.

1n accordance with the present invention an improved, economical yet extremely effective connector means is provided between the nylon driving vstrip 22 and the innermost antenna mast section 23. This means comprises a metal sleeve 6| having an inturned fiange B2 at its upper end engaging a shoulder 63 provided on the lower extremity of the mast section 23. The sleeve 6| extends over the upper end of the driving strip 22, which end is of reduced cross section as shown in Fig. 4 and has a plurality of opposite disposed notches 64, and the sleeve 6| is dimpled to provide nibs 65 extending into the notches 64 whereby the sleeve is securely locked to the upper extremity of the strip 22. Preferably the sleeve 5I is formed of a drawn shell, the bottom of which is blanked out, and I found that a connector so formed is economical to fabricate, and provides an extremely sturdy and satisfactory connection between the strip 22 and rod 23.

By the present invention improved friction and stop means are provided on the mast sections 23 and 24 whereby a uniform friction is maintained between the various sections of the antenna and whereby effective electrical contact is established while at the same time the sections are prevented from separation, one from the other, when extended.

Referring to Fig. 2 this improved friction and stop means comprises the sleeve 3| encircling the lower portion of the innermost mast section 23, the said sleeve having a plurality of bowed spring fingers 61 engaging the inner surface of the intermediate mast section 24. At its top edge the sleeve 3| has an oututnred flange 68 adapted to act as an abutment for engagement with the bushing 32 carried within the upper portion of the mast section 24. The said upper portion of the mast section 24 also carries a second bushing i0 which is retained in place by turning in a ange 1| at the top extremity of the mast section. Between the bushings 32 and 'I0 a felt packing washer l2 is provided. As shown in Fig. 2, the lower bushing 32 rests against an internal annular shoulder 'I3 formed in the upper portion of the mast section 24 by reaming out the inside of said section to a slightly larger diameter.

Preferably the stop sleeve 3| is formed from sheet metal, being first blanked out to proper outline and then rolled into cylindrical shape. The sleeve 3| after being applied to the mast section 23 is welded thereto at a plurality of points lI4, as indicated in Fig. 2. The sleeve 29 of the intermediate mast section 24 has friction ngers 'I6 and is generally similar to the sleeve 3| with the exception that the fingers 'I6 are now bowed, but are merely biased outward.

According to the present invention an improved economical-to-fabrcate bearing means is provided for the shafts I9 which carry the friction wheels 2|. Referring to Figs. 7 and 8, the bearing block 20 in which the shafts I9 are carredfs-` provided- ,with a. iaperedbore- "f and la.

bushing 18ihavinga tapered'outside surface-19V and asubstantially tapered ,bore 80 is presstted inthe bearing block Y 2i); The bushing` 'ES is formed of a deformable bearing material such as a fibre-forming polymeric` amide commonly known as nylon, and the'bushing is so proportioned and shaped, withrespect to the bearing block,I that when it isl forced into-the block with theflarge end of the bore rforemost, the fore` most end of the bushing will be compressed and reduced indiameter to such an extent that the conical borevilwill be made substantially cylindrical;

I'have'found thatgthe bore 'l'l-` of the bearing block 2@ mayyiadvantageously have ataper,

measurediwith;respect tothe axis of the block,

oni-.,theforderrof .00157 rper-inch of length, and

that fthe bushingA l'lirmay advantageously have l,a v

taper of .602 per inch of length on its outside,

measured iwithrespecttothe axis of thebushing, and a--taper of-.OOffv-per inch` of length inA its bore, measured ,with respect to the axis, the wall bushing will become substantially cylindrical and provide a satisfactory bearing surface for the shaft I 9. y

Variations and modifications may be mad within the scope of this invention and portions of the'improvements may be used without others.

I claim:

1. In an automobile antenna arranged to be exposed to the weather, an elongate upright tubular casing; a tubular upright stationary antenna section disposed axially in the casing; a mast sectionl axially slidable in said stationary sectionbetween lowered retracted and raised extended positions; insulating means at the top of the casing, holding the stationary antenna section in spaced relation to the casing.; a second in;l sulating means at the bottom of the casing, hold' ing the, stationary antenna section in. spaced relation in the casing against lateral movement, saidsecond means having a passage to enable liquid within the casing to iiow past the lower portion of thev stationary antenna section; a flexible.. push-pull driving strip connected to said I mast section to actuate the same, said strip projecting downward away from the casing when the mast section is retracted; driving means carried by the casing, operable to axially advance and retract the stripy to raise and lower said mast section; and atubular sheath extending downward from said casing and communicating with the interior thereof below the second insulating means, said sheath housing the projecting portion of the'strip and at its remote end extending appreciably beyond the remote end of the strip when the later fully retracts the mast section, said sheath having an opening adjacent its remote end, located beyond the remote end of the strip whereby drainage of liquid from the sheath is provided for, and whereby the likelihood of dirt from outside the sheath reaching the said strip is minimized. i

2. In an automobile antenna arranged to be exposed to the weather, an elongate upright y ingsyingtl'ielowerA end of-the casing, engaging.

mast section axially slidable in said stationary.

section between lowered retracted and raised extended positions; insulating means at the top of the casing, holding the vstationary antenna` section in spaced relation to the casing; a second insulating means atthe bottom of `the Vcasing, holding theV stationaryr antenna section in spaced relation in the.V casing against lateral movement, said second means Ahaving a passage to enable liquid within the casing to flow. past the lower portion of.V the stationary` antenna section; a flexible push-pull driving strip connected to said mastsection-to Vactuatethe same, .said strip` projecting downward-away 4from the casing .whenI themast section is retracted;y driving meansl car,- ried by the casingY operable. to axiallyvadvance. and retract`r the .strip to raise and lower said .mastsv section; and a tubular.shea`,thV extending-down- Vl wardwfrom said casing and communicating with Y thelinterior lthereof below the second insulating means, said sheath housing the.- projecting por! tion `of thestrip andat itsremoteend extend,-` ing` appreciablybeyond the remoteend ofthe. strip when vthe latter fully retracts the mast sec,.- tion, said sheath Ahaving Van opening beyondthe` remoteI endof.L the strip, and having anopen end, said opening and end having al smaller-die., mensionv thanl the bore .of the 4sheath f whereby. drainage, of. liquid i fromVV the, sheath is .providedfor, and whereby the Iikelihood ordirt fromvoutside the sheath@ entering the latter, and reaching ithesaid driving strip is minimized.

the top of-thecasing, holdingthe :stationaryfanf tenna sectioniin spaced relation to thecasingp and insulating y meansrat the bottom of. the cas.

ing holding the stationary. antenna section in. spaced lrela-tion in the casing lagainst-,lateral a and Y longitudinal movement, saidlast-named means comprising aange on the lower end of the antenna section, and-comprising a pair of bushoppositegfaces of said ange, said bushings having ,passages to enableliquid within the casing to flowpast-fthe lower portionof the stationary antenna section, andv said casing having an opening in its i bottom; tacnabl discharged therefronf1L a 4; In. an,autorrmbile-` antenna exposed to the weather, a casing; an antenna section slidable in the casing between lowered retracted and raised extended positions, said section having a sliding t in the casing susceptible of admitting rain water into the casing in small quantities; a push-pull driving strip connected to said section to actuate the same, said strip projecting downward from the casing when the antenna section is retracted; a driving motor; driving means connected thereto and having a portion not greatly adversely aiected by water, engageable with the driving strip for actuating the same to lower and raise the antenna section; a housing for said driving means, connected with said casing; partition means forming a compartment in said housing, containing said portion of the driving means, said casing having means providing for passage of rain water into said compartment, and the latter having means for said liquidfto, be i draining off said rain water whereby the remainder of said driving means is ,shielded from contact with said water.

5. In an automobile antenna arranged to be exposed to the weather, a casing having a body and an upright extension on said body; an antenna section slidable in said extension between lowered retracted and raised extended positions;

a push-pull driving strip connected to said sectionrto actuate the same; means including a mechanical power transmission having friction drive wheels, carried in the body of the casing, said wheels engaging the push-pull driving strip to actuate the same, said casing body having a liquid-tight partition forming compartments l5 therein, and said wheels being Vdisposed in one of said compartments and being not greatly adversely affected by water; means providing for passage of rain water from the casing extension u into said one compartment, said means includinga bushing at rthe bottom of the extension, having an apertured tapered center portion through which said driving strip extends, said center portion extending downward whereby rain water passing through the bushing flows along the underside thereof towards its center and towards said driving strips; and means providing for drainage of said rain water from said one compartmenhthe liquid-tight partition of the casing preventing said rain water from entering the remainder of the casing body and contacting the remainder of said transmission.

6. In an automobile antenna arranged to be exposed to the weather, an upright casing; a mast section projecting upward from the casing and slidable therein'between lowered retracted and raised extending positions, said section having a sliding t in the casing susceptible of admitting rain water into the casing in small quantities; a flexible push-pull driving strip con- 40 nected to the bottom of the mast section to actuate the same, said strip passing through a funnel-like portion and projecting downward away from the casing whenthe mast section is retracted; driving means carried within the casingpoperable to axially advance and retract the strip tol raise Vand lower the mast section; a hand-bendable tubular sheath extending downward Vfrom the bottom of the casing; means connecting said sheath to the casing to communi- 5@ cate with the casing interior, said sheath housing the projecting portionoi the strip, said casing having a downwardly sloping portion leading to the tubular sheath, the remote end of the sheath extending appreciably beyond the remote end or the strip when the latter fully retracts the antenna mast section, and said sheath having an opening in its lowermost portion, said opening having a smaller dimension than the bore of the sheath whereby drainage of rain water from the sheath is provided for, and whereby the likelihood of dirt from outside the sheath entering the latter and reaching the said driving strip is minimized.

7. In an automobile antenna arranged to be exposed to the weather, an elongate, upright casing; an antenna section slidable in the casing between lowered retracted and raised extended positions, said section having a sliding t in the casing susceptible of admitting rain water into the casing in small quantities; means including a mechanicalpower transmission having driving gears and antenna drive members actuated thereby, connected with the antenna section for actuating the same; a housing connected with the lower part of the casing and enclosing 'said transmission, said housing having a dividing partition forming compartments therein separating the gears and drive members, and said antenna drive members being not greatly adversely affected by water, extending into one of said compartments; means providing for passage of rain water from the casing into the said one compartment of the housingi and means providing for drainage of said rain water from said one compartment, the driving partition of the housing preventing said rain water from entering the remainder of the housing and contacting the remainder of said transmission.

PHILIP X. NOEL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Grashow May 30, 1950 

